There was no Novak Djokovic vs. Rafael Nadal matchup in Madrid, but it could happen in Rome. Just as he did this past week, Nadal finds himself in the top half of the bracket and on a semifinal collision course with Djokovic at the Internazionali BNL d’Italia.
Overall, however, it is a much more balanced draw than what was on display at the Madrid Masters. Alexander Zverev, Stefanos Tsitsipas, and Andrey Rublev are all on the other side just as they were in Madrid, but this time they are joined by Carlos Alcaraz. The 19-year-old Spaniard was in Nadal’s quarter at the preceding Masters 1000 tournament (and he won that quarterfinal matchup 6-2, 1-6, 6-3).
Nadal’s fellow top-eight seed in his Rome section is Casper Ruud, who was awesome on clay in 2021 but has struggled on the red stuff this spring after making a surprise run a Masters 1000 final on the hard courts of Miami. Up first for the 21-time Grand Slam champion could be John Isner, followed by either Denis Shapovalov, Dan Evans, Nikoloz Basilashvili, or Italy’s own Lorenzo Sonego. Ruud awaits either Sebastian Korda or Botic van de Zandschulp in what will likely be a tough opening match.
Djokovic should not have any trouble until at least the quarters. That is where the top-ranked Serb could run into Felix Auger-Aliassime, Diego Schwartzman, Alejandro Davidovich Fokina, or red-hot countryman Miomir Kecmanovic.
With Lorenzo Musetti forced out by a thigh injury suffered in Madrid, Jannik Sinner will have by far the loftiest expectations among the Italian contingent. His path through the bracket may be a fun one, too. The world No. 12 could meet Dominic Thiem or Fabio Fognini in the second round, Rublev in the last 16, Tsitsipas in the quarterfinals, and either Zverev or Alcaraz in the semis. As for Zverev and Alcaraz, they have favorable draws in the early rounds and should have no trouble setting up a head-to-head showdown in the quarters.
In addition to Korda-van de Zandschulp and Thiem-Fognini, first-round matches to watch are Schwartzman vs. Kecmanovic, Reilly Opelka vs. Stan Wawrinka, Hubert Hurkacz vs. David Goffin, and Roberto Bautista Agut vs. Alex de Minaur.
WWW?
Hello. I see many familiar names here. Hi to Ricky Dimon and Cheryl Murray. I want to apologise for my past comments way back to tennistalk. I have had a ” come to Jesus” experience the past few years. I hardly ever watch tennis these past few years. Most of you should see what has happened the past few years with pestilince, war, food shortages/ famine and possible nuclear warfare in the near future. I would like to encourage all of you to consider the ressurrected Christ. Time may be short and nothing is more important than where you spend eternity. God bless you all.
PS I never thought I would come back here and will not be posting but I felt I owed an apology. Best to all.
QF: Djokovic over Schwartzman, Nadal over Goffin, Tsitsipas over Rublev, Zverev over Alcaraz
SF: Djokovic over Nadal, Tsitsipas over Zverev
F: Djokovic over Tsitsipas
Surely Alcaraz will withdraw from Rome after making the final of both Madrid and Barcelona.
It would be a big mistake if he didn’t.
Do you not remember Rafa at 19? Finals used to be best of 5 and he was still playing back to back. So, you never know. I guess if he plays a marathon today he might end of withdrawing.